Trunk-locking mechanism.



G. H. JUERGENS.

TRUNK LOCKING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MN. 3. I916- Patented Jan. 30, 1917.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

G. H. JUERGENS.

TRUNK LOCKING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN- 3,1916.

Patented Jan. 30, 1917.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

'WETED 5TATE PATENT @li ld ifild.

GUSTAV H. JUERGENS, 015 ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR' TO F. C. MURPHY TRUNK COMPANY, OF S'I. LOUIS, MISSOURI. A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI.

TRUNK-LOOKING ME CHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Iatcnted Jan. SO, 1911".

Application filed January 3, 1916. Serial No. 59,973.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUSTAV H. JUnnGnNs, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Trunk- Locking Mechanisms of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to devices that are used for locking trunks.

One object of the invention is to provide an eflicient trunk locking means of novel construction that comprises a plurality of looks or fastening devices arranged at different points on a trunk, one of which is controlled by key, and mechanism for automatically releasing..the other lock or locks when the key-c ontrolled lock is rendered inoperative by turning the key in same.

Another object of my invention is to provide a trunk locking means of the character referred to in which the mechanism for releasing the lock or locks not controlled by a key consists of a strong and substantial rock shaft arranged on the inside of the trunk. And still another object of my invention is to provide a trunk lock or fastener that consists of a movable member, jaws that are adarted to engage and hold said movable member in .its closed position, and means for opening said jaws so as to release said member.

Other objects and desirable features of my invention will be hereinafter pointed out.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a front elevational view of a wardrobe trunk equipped with my improved locking mechanism. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view, illustratin the inner side of the front wall of the trunk on which the locks are mounted. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4: is a horizontal sectional View, taken on the line it- 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the jaws of the bottom lock and the means for openingsaid jaws. Fig. 7 is a similar view, showing said jaws in their open position. Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of a trunk provided with a horizontallydisposed cover or top that is adapted to be swung upwardly to open the trunk; and

Fig. 9 is a front elevational view of a trunk of the type shown in Fig. 8 equipped with a key-controlled center lock and two end iocks or fasteners that open automatically whenever the key-controlled center lock is rendered inoperat've.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, which illustrate my invention applied to a wardrobe trunk, 1 and 2 designate the vertically divided sections of the trunk and A and B designate two locks that secure said sections together. The top lock A is a key-com trolled lock of a type that is now in general use and it consists of hinged member 3 mounted on the section 1 of the trunk, a socket member at mounted on the section 2 of the trunk and provided with a center opening that is adapted to receive a projection 5 on the rear side of the hinged memher 3 when said hinged member is in its closed position and one or more key-controlled devices 6 in the projection 5 that cooperate with the socket member 4 to securely hold the hinged member 3 in its closed position, the member 3 having a key hole 3, as shown in Fig. 1, into which a key can be inserted so as to move the devices 6 out of engagement with the socket member 4.

ihe bottom lock B is of novel construction and consists of a movable member 7. preferably a hinged member, carried bV the section 1 of the trunk. jaws 8 carried by a socket member9 on the section 2 of the trunk that are adapted to cooperate with a projection 10 on the rear side of the hin ed member 7 to hold said hinged member in its closed position, and means for opening said jaws so as to release the member 7, the means that opens said jaws being combined with the ke -controlled lock A in such a manner that said jaws will be opened automatically whenever the key-controlled'lock is rendered inoperative by turning the key in same. In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5 the means that opens the jaws of the bottom lock '5 consists of a cam 11 carried by a vertically-disposed rock shaft 12 that is arranged on the inner side of the front wall of the section 2 of the trunk. said cam being so designed that it will spread the jaws 8 apart when the shaft 12 is turned in one direction and will permit said jaws to close or come together when said shaft is turned in the opposite direction, or restored to its normal position. Various means may be employed for operating the rock shaft 12, but I prefer to use a spring 13 that causes the shaft 12 to turn in a direction to open the jaws 8 whenever the key-controlled look A is renderedinoperative. The shaft 12 is provided at its upper end with a laterallyprojecting arm 14 which is so arranged with relation to the top lock A that the .projection 5 on the hinged member 3 of said top lock will engage the arm 14 and turn the shaft 12 in a direction to place the spring 13 under tension whenever the hinged member 3 of the top lock A is moved into its closed position. At such times, namely, when the hinged member 3 of the top lock is in its closed position, the cam 11 on the shaft 12 will be so arranged that it is either out of engagement with the jaws 8 of the bottom lock, or will permit said jaws to engage the projection 10 on the rear side of the hinged member 7 of the bottom lock with which they cotiperate. When the key is inserted in the key hole of the top look A so as to withdraw the devices 6 of the top look from engagement with the socket 4, the spring 13, which is then under tension, turns the shaft 12 in a direction to open the jaws 8 of the bottom lock B and also to throw the hinged member 3 of the top lock forwardly or into an inoperative position, the movement of the hinged member of the top lock being effeet-ed by the laterally-projecting arm on the rock shaft 12 which bears against the rojection 5 on the hinged member 3 of the top look when the spring 13 is under tension.

,The bottom lock B is preferably provided with two jaws 8 that are pivotally connected atone end to the socket member 9 of the bottom look, so that the free ends of said jaws can separate, as shown in Fig. 7. and thus release the projection 10 on the inner side of the movable member 7 of the bottom dock. The projection 10 can be formed in various ways without departing from the spirit of my invention, th pro ection of the lock herein shown being provided with laterally-projecting lugs 10 that Ian over the inner sides of the jaws 8 when said jaws are closed. as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, and thus securely hold the hinged member 7 of the lock in its closed position. A resilient means 15 is combined with the jaws 8 so as to hold them in their closed position, the resilient means herein shown consisting of a piece of spring wire bent into U-shape and provided 7 with a center coil 15 show in Fig. 7, the

ends of the spring being connected to lugs 8 on the jaws 8 that cooperate with the cam 11 on the rock shaft 12. Both of the jaws 8 are mounted on a single pivot or pintle pin 16 carried by the socket member 9 of the lock. so that said jaws can turn slightly. in. case the projection 10 with which they coiiperate becomes slightly disarranged. due to a longitudinal movement of one section of the trunk with relation to the other. In other words, the jaws 8 are so mounted that they will adjust themselves automatically to slight variations in the position of the projection 011 the rear side of the hinged member 7 of the lock, thus preventing the lock from jamming or failing to operate, in case the projection on the hinged member 7 is not arranged in exact alinement with the axis of movement of the jaws 8. The bottom lock B is provided with a spring 17, preferably a leaf spring, that is arranged under the hinged member 7, as shown in Fig. 4, so as to throw said hinged member forwardly when the jaws 8 of the bottom lock are separated. The socket member 9 of the bottom lock B is preferably made hollow, as shown in Fig. 4, so that it will house the jaws 8, the resilient member 15 that is combined with said jaws and the cam 11, the socket member 9 herein shown being provided with a removable back plate 9 that completely covers the opening in the front wall of the section 2 of the trunk in which the socket member 9 is arranged.

It is immaterial, so far as my broad idea is concerned, how the rock shaft 12 is mounted, but I prefer to arrange said shaft in a groove formed iii the inner side of the front wall of the section 2 of the trunk and hold said shaft in position by means of bearings or retaining devices carried by the top and bottom locks A and B.

To open the trunk it is onlynecessary to insert. the key in the key hole of the top look A and turn the key so as to withdraw the devices 6 on the movable member of the top look from engagement with the socket member 4. As soon as the devices 6 are withdrawn or rendered inoperative the spring 13 rotates the shaft 12, the arm 14 at the upper end of said shaft causing the hinged member 3 of the top lock to be thrown forwardly into an inoperative position and the cam 11 at the lower end of said shaft causing the jaws 8 of the bottom lock B to open, and thus release the hinged member 7 of the bottom lock which is immediately thrown forwardly into an inoperative position by means of the spring 17. \Vhen it is desired to close the trunk the hinged member 3 of the top lock is moved toward the socket member 4, thus causing the devices 6, which are spring-actuated, to snap into engagement with the socket member 4, the movement of the hinged member 3 of the top lock into its closed position causing the rock shaft 12 to turn in the opposite direction, thereby moving the cam 11 into an inoperative position and also placing the spring 13 under tension. The jaws 8 of the bottom lock B close automatically as soon as the cam 11 is moved into an inoperative position. and when the hinged member 7 of the bottom lock B is moved into its closed position, the lugs on the projection on the rear side of said hinged member will snap into engagement with the spring-pressed jaws 8.

A locking mechanism of the construction above described isparticularly adapted for use on wardrobe trunks, owing to the fact that it overcomes the necessity of the user stooping to release the bottom lock of the trunk during the operation of opening the trunk. Furthermore, such a mechanism overcomes the necessity of the user stooping during the operation of closing the trunk, owing to the fact that the bottom lock B is so constructed that the hinged member of same can be moved into its closed position by the aid of the users foot. Such a looking mechanism is of simple construction; it can be manufactured and installed cheaply, and as it comprises only a few parts of rugged construction, it will securely lock a trunk in its closed position; and furthermore, it is not liable to become damaged by rough usage or handling of the trunk. Various other types of key-controlled locks may be used in place of the lock A herein illustrated, and while I prefer to use a bottom lock B of the kind previously described, I do not wish it to be understood that my broad idea is limited to a trunk-locking means that comprises a lock B of the particular kind hereinillustrated, as my broad idea consists in securing a trunk in its closed position by means of two or more locks, one of which is key-controlled, which locks are combined with a mechanism that automatically releases the lock or locks that are not controlled by a key whenever the key in the key-controlled lock is turned, thus overcoming the necessity of the user making two or more movements during the operation of unlocking the trunk. Another desirable feature of a trunk-locking mechanism of the construction above described is that the hinged members or movable members of the locks are thrown forwardly automatically, or moved into an inoperative position, whenever the key in the key-controlled lock is turned, the forward movement of the hinged member of the key-controlled lock being effected by the same spring that actuates the rock shaft 12. The lock B is particularly adapted for use in a trunk equipped with a plurality of locks that are combined in such a manner that all will be released when the master lock is rendered inoperative, but I wish it to be understood that the lock B is not limited to this particular use. Furthermore, I do not wish it to be understood that my invention is limited to use in wardrobe trunks, as it'is applicable to a trunk of the type shown in Fig. 8. in which the top or cover of the trunk is horizontally arranged and is adapted to beswung upwardlyto open the trunk, the trunk being provided adjacent its opposite ends with locks A and B of the kind shown in Fig. 1 and with a horizontally-disposed rock shaft 12 that causes the lock B to be released automatically whenever the key of the lock A is turned.

The trunk shown in Fig. 9 is provided with a master lock or center lock A and with end locks 13 of similar construction to the locks A and B of the trunk shown in Figs. 1 to 5. ployed for controlling the locks B, each of said rock shafts being provided with an arm that cooperates with a projection on the inner side of the hinged member of the lock A and having a cam that opens the jaws of the lock B with which said shaft cooperates.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patout, is:

1. A trunk provided with a locking means, comprising a plurality of locks or fastening devices, one of which is key-controlled and the other being provided with spring actuated jaws, and means whereby the act of unlocking the key-controlled lock automatically efiects the opening of said jaws so as to release the lock of which said jaws form a part.

2. A trunk provided with a plurality of looks or fastening devices arranged at different points on the trunk, one of said locks being key-controlled and th other lock having a spring-actuated retaining device, and a spring-actuated cam that operates automatically to positively move said retaining device into an inoperative position when the key-controlled lock is rendered inoperative by manipulating the keyv in same.

3. A trunk provided with a plurality of looks or fastening devices arranged at different points on the trunk, one of said locks being controlled by a key, and a releasing mechanism for the other lock comprising a rock shaft that operates automatically whenever the key-controlled lock is rendered moperativeby manipulating the key in same.

at. A trunk provided with a plurality of looks or fastening devices arranged at different points on the trunk, each of said locks comprising a movable member on one part of the trunk that codperates with a holding element on the other part of the trunk, and a releasing mechanism combined with said locks and comprising a spring-actuated, rockable device that causes the holding element of one look to be rendered inoperative automatically when the movable member of the other lock is released.

5. A trunk provided with a pluralitv of locks or fastening devices arranged at different points on the trunk, each of said locks comprising a movable member on one part of the trunk and a coiiperating element on the; other part of the trunk, a rochable device provided with means for effecting the Two rock shafts 12 are emrelease of th movable member of one look and for shifting the movable member of the other lock into an inoperative position when said last mentioned movable member is released, and a spring for actuating said rockable device.

6. A trunk provided with a plurality of locks or fastening devices arranged at different points on the trunk, one of said locks being key-controlled, and a releasing mechanism for the other lock comprising a spring-actuated, rockable part that is held in an inoperative position by said key-controlled lock and which moves automatically and effects the release of the lock that it controls when said key-controlled lock is rendered inoperative.

7. A trunk provided with a plurality of locks or fastening devices arranged at different points on the trunk,one of said locks being key-controlled, and each lock comprising a movable member on one part of the trunk that is held in its closed position by a means carried by the other part of the trunk, a rock shaft governed by the movable member of the kev-controlled lock, means on said shaft for effecting the release of the movable member of the other lock when said key-controlled lock is rendered inoperative, and a spring for turning said rock shaft in one direction, said spring being placed under tension when the movable member of the key-controlled lock is moved into its closed position.

8. A trunk provided with a plurality of looks or fastening devices arranged at different points on the trunk, one of said locks being key-controlled and the other lock having jaws which open andclose. a rock shaft governed by the key-controlled lock, means on said shaft for moving said jaws in one direction, and resilient means for moving said jaws in the opposite direction.

9. A trunk provided with a plurality of locks or fastening devices arranged at different points on the trunk, one of said locks being key-controlled and the other lock being provided with jaws that open and close, a rock'sha ft governed by said key-controlled lock. a spring that operates to turn said rock shaft when said key-controlled lock is rendered inoperative. a cam'on said rock shaft for opening said jaws when said rock shaft is turned by said spring, and resilient means for closing said jaws.

10. A trunk provided with a plurality of locks or fastening devices arranged at different points on the trunk, one of said locks being key-controlled and each lock comprising a hinged member carried by one part of the trunk and a cooperating socket member carried by the other part of the trunk, projections on the hinged members of said locks that enter said socket members, and a rock shaft governed by the projection on the hinged member of the keycontrolled lock and provided with means that automatically effects the release of the hinged member of the other lock when the key-controlled lock is rendered inoperative.

11. A trunk provided with a plurality of locks or fastening devices arranged at different points on the trunk, one of said locks being key-controlled and each lock comprising a hinged member carried by one part of the trunk and a cooperating socket member carried by the other part of the trunk, projections on the hinged members of said locks that enter said socket members, a holding element on the socket member of one look that cooperates with the projection on the hinged member of said lock, and a rock shaft governed by the keycontrolled lock for rendering said holding device inoperative.

12. A trunk provided with a plurality of locks or fastening devices arranged at different points on the trunk, one of said locks being key-controlled and each lock comprising a hinged member carried by'one part of the trunk and a cooperating socket member carried by the other'part of the trunk, projections on the hinged members of said locks that enter said socket members, one of said locks comprising jaws that cooperate with the projection on the hinged member of said lock to hold it in its closed position, a spring-actuated rock shaft provided with an arm that is engaged by the projection on the hinged member of the keycontrolled. lock when the latter is in its closed position, a cam on said rock shaft for opening the jaws of the other lock, and

a resilient means for closing said jaws.

13. A trunk provided with a lock or fastening device comprising a movable hinged member on one part of the trunk provided with a projection, a stationary socket mem her on the other part of the trunk provided with concealed jaws that cooperate with said projection, means carried by said socket member for opening said jaws to release the hinged member of the lock, and a spring that tends to hold said jaws in their closed position and also presses them into engagement with said opening means.

14. A trunk provided with a lock or fastening device comprising a movable hinged member on one part of the trunk that is provided with a projection, a stationary socket member on the other part of the trunk provided with concealed jaws that cofiperate with said projection, a rockable element permanently mounted on the trunk and provided with a device for opening said jaws, and a resilient means that constantly exerts pressure on said jaws in a direction tending to hold them closed.

15. A trunkprovided with a lock comprising a hinged member on one part of the trunk provided With a projection, a socket member on the other part of the trunk, jaws on said socket member that cooperate With said projection to hold the hinged member in its closed position, said jaws having a common axis of movement, and a cam arranged between the free ends of said jaws and adapted to be turned to spread said jaws apart.

16. A trunk provided With a lock comprising a hinged member on one part of the trunk provided with a projection, a socket member on the other part of the trunk, a pair of jaws pivotally connected Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the at one end to said socket member and having the same aXis of movement, a rockable member permanently mounted on the trunk and arranged between the free ends of said jaws for opening same, and a substantially U-shaped spring for closing said jaws.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses, this twenty seventh day of December 1915.

GUST. H. JUERGENS.

Witnesses WELLS L. CHURCH, GEORGE BAKEWELL.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

